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Just Hungry 5th Anniversary / Just Bento 1st Anniversary Giveaway!

What with all the traveling last month and all, I totally forgot the fact that, as of November 29, Just Hungry is 5 years old., or 35 in dog years...which pretty much corresponds to blog years I think. (I'd like to thank Ai Lu for reminding me, by commenting on my very first post!)

Back when I started, I was pretty much clueless about food blogging (even though I've been blogging off and on since the late '90s). My early writing is not so good, and most of my early photos stink - or if they turned out good it was purely accidental. Nevertheless, all the content is still here, warts and all. Just Hungry (which started its life with the more cumbersome name of I Was Just Really Very Hungry) has changed quite a bit since the early years, and I like to think my writing and photography has improved some - but in the end, it's always been about the food I love. So in essence, what I wrote back in my first post is still what this site is all about. And thankfully, it seems to agree with quite a lot of readers who have encouraged me over the years.

Also, and this is even more of an oversight, Just Hungry's little sister Just Bento had its first birthday in October. Just Bento has been a lot more precocious than Just Hungry, and has grown in leaps and bounds, due in large part to the growth in popularity of bento meals all over the world.

To readers of either, or both, sites I would like to say a big

Thank You!!!!

And now the part you were waiting for: The Giveaway

To show my thanks to you, kind reader, I am giving away some goodies. This giveaway is open to everyone, regardless of where you live, as long as you can receive mail!

To make it interesting :) I'm going to announce 1 prize per day for the rest of the week, on both Just Hungry and Just Bento. That's ten giveways! All you have to do to have a chance at getting one of these is to leave a comment under the giveaway listing you're interested in.

Your comment must contain the following, or your entry will be disqualified:

Your email address - put this in the Email box so that spambots can't see it. The email is necessary so I can contact you if you win!

Your name (a nickname is ok)

Your location (country)

You can enter/comment for all giveaways if you want, but one comment per please!

Your comment must be posted before the stated deadline.

Note: None of the following items is a review copy, advertising freebie, etc. They are all items that I have duplicates or similar of myself and have used and loved!

Delivery: I'll airmail you the item if you win ASAP, but I cannot guarantee you'll get in time for Christmas.

So here we go: the first item for Just Hungry!

Just Hungry Giveaway No. 1: Nigella Express by Nigella Lawson

Nigella Lawson remains to be one of my favorite cookbook authors for everyday food. Nigella Express, which came out last year, is full of great ideas for quick yet great tasting meals.

You'll get a U.S. edition if you're in North America, and a U.K. edition with metric measurements if you're in the rest of the world. Retail value is around $25.

DEADLINE: Your comment/entry must be posted before Midnight Greenwich Mean Time on Thursday, December 4th.

I've been reading for a while, but never commented, mainly because all I would've done is add to the million of "oooh, love this!" things. Tried many things, starting with the neba-neba don (without ikura, but with all the rest); keep coming back for more. THANK YOU for sharing the recipes.

I'm in Japan atm, so I can get most of the ingredients, but I'm usually Germany-based, so it's perfect that you have information about things we can get our hands on in Switzerland or Germany that can be substituted for Japanese food items. THANK YOU.

It's also all your fault that I'll be buying myself a kitchen application for Christmas (well, two; rice cooker + transformer (though the trafo might have to wait until I fly back)).

Uh, I'd also like to sign up for the giveaway... but I figure now that this got me going, you'll be receiving a lot more comments from me. laughs

I started reading your blog when I was living in the US and getting ready to move to Switzerland and enjoy reading it now as a Zürich neighbor. We make the roasted vegetable medley almost every week and I look forward to trying more recipes in the New Year.

Happy Blog B-day! Your sites are an endless source of inspiration and really make me long for Japan. My mom just sent me a care package from Japan which is great since the two Asian markets I knew of in Quito went out of business :(

I would like to enter into this contest so here goes:
Kathleen
Ecuador

For some reason not all of your posts are showing up in my reader. Strange...

Love the blog! Found it through my love of bentos and then picked up your other site from there. Now they are staples in my daily blog feeding!! I particularly love the bento advice from someone who knows but in English. Such a valuable resource. Long may it all continue!!

Congrats Maki! I discovered this site some time ago when i was living in the US and craving Japanese food, and now that i'm back home in Singapore with more available asian raw materials for cooking the recipes have been even more fun. I love the flavour you impart with your writing, and hope to see the recipes keep coming! =) Thanks!

This all seems the wrong way round, as an enthusiastic (one might even call it addicted) reader I feel it should be me thanking you!!
I often cook recipes from both JB and JH. Reading your blogs has shown me how diverse japanese food can be and has helped me not to be so intimidated by the japanese cuisine.
So I truly thank YOU!
Anyhow I can't resist Nigella and would like to risk a try ;)

This all seems the wrong way round, as an enthusiastic (one might even call it addicted) reader I feel it should be me thanking you!!
I often cook recipes from both JB and JH. Reading your blogs has shown me how diverse japanese food can be and has helped me not to be so intimidated by the japanese cuisine.
So I truly thank YOU!
Anyhow I can't resist Nigella and would like to risk a try ;)

This all seems the wrong way round, as an enthusiastic (one might even call it addicted) reader I feel it should be me thanking you!!
I often cook recipes from both JB and JH. Reading your blogs has shown me how diverse japanese food can be and has helped me not to be so intimidated by the japanese cuisine.
So I truly thank YOU!
Anyhow I can't resist Nigella and would like to risk a try ;)

Happy anniversary! I started reading your blog about 6 months ago and it has given me tons of good ideas. I LOVE your recipes for new potatoes, I have been making these a lot.
I am in Switzerland.
Cheers,
Carole

Christmas 1962, my first in California after moving from Pennsylvania by myself in November, I was invited by a Japanese-American fellow employee to share dinner with her family. It was to be a traditional American dinner with turkey and a slew of relatives -- and me. Moreover, it was followed by an invitation to their New Year's Day dinner, but this time with all Japanese food -- if I were brave enough to want to try it. I did.

Their kindness so long ago is cherished to this day. Though we've all moved away since then, thank you to the extended family of Mr. and Mrs.Kamaichi Ikeda of Mountain View, Calif. for all the wonderful times they shared with me.

Is it any wonder that I enjoy Japanese style food from time to time, lots of stir-fries, and have my own bento box? And, of course, your website, Maki, with all its intriguing recipes. Thank you all.

Christmas 1962, my first in California after moving from Pennsylvania by myself in November, I was invited by a Japanese-American fellow employee to share dinner with her family. It was to be a traditional American dinner with turkey and a slew of relatives -- and me. Moreover, it was followed by an invitation to their New Year's Day dinner, but this time with all Japanese food -- if I were brave enough to want to try it. I did.

Their kindness so long ago is cherished to this day. Though we've all moved away since then, thank you to the extended family of Mr. and Mrs.Kamaichi Ikeda of Mountain View, Calif. for all the wonderful times they shared with me.

Is it any wonder that I enjoy Japanese style food from time to time, lots of stir-fries, and have my own bento box? And, of course, your website, Maki, with all its intriguing recipes. Thank you all.

Christmas 1962, my first in California after moving from Pennsylvania by myself in November, I was invited by a Japanese-American fellow employee to share dinner with her family. It was to be a traditional American dinner with turkey and a slew of relatives -- and me. Moreover, it was followed by an invitation to their New Year's Day dinner, but this time with all Japanese food -- if I were brave enough to want to try it. I did.

Their kindness so long ago is cherished to this day. Though we've all moved away since then, thank you to the extended family of Mr. and Mrs.Kamaichi Ikeda of Mountain View, Calif. for all the wonderful times they shared with me.

Is it any wonder that I enjoy Japanese style food from time to time, lots of stir-fries, and have my own bento box? And, of course, your website, Maki, with all its intriguing recipes. Thank you all.

I stumbled upon JB a while ago, and was thrilled; I've always enjoyed cooking, but have been at a loss with most Asian (esp. Japanese) cooking. So your clear explanations and easy recipes have been a delight!

Thank you so much for your fantastic blog.
I've been reading both JustBento and JustHungry for the past few months, and our family meals (and my bento lunches) have been well improved because of it. My favorite staple has been the simple recipe for Miso Chicken!

Dear maki,
I first linked to your site from Chocolate and Zucchini because I was making Nigella's chestnut and lentil soup and Clotilde had linked to your site for the original idea. Kind of funny to think that Nigella brought me here and now you are giving a Nigella book away. Your site (JH & JB) and your archives make me so happy. I think my boyfriend is happier too with the quality of my cooking. Thanks for everything! - Lynh from NY, NY in US

I'm an american girl in Paris (France, of course). I found your site while researching how to make my own sauerkraut, since all I ever seem to find here is already heavy with "garnie" (meaning too much fat to my liking). From there, I got hooked on your recipe for japanese pickles (although I continue with the lacto-fermentation process a lot longer--for about one week at the least...the nappa cabbage recipe ends up more like a kimchi).

Anyhow, your writings on certain subjects have been a sort of awakening and "coming together" of all sorts of thoughts and interests that I've had.

Bored with work, I googled for good food ideas and up popped your site. I have been trailing your site for a while, but have not commented cause no words comes to mind and I just sit there at my desk and drool...slurp I meant cough...so yeah.

I can't remember how I found your blog, but it was definitely in the early days of the blog, when I was still living in Nara (I returned to the US about 3.5years ago), and very very confused by the various ingredients in my local store. Now that I'm not in Japan, I'm not as strict with myself about only cooking Japanese food, and my cooking style is more of a fusion of east asian/south asian (my heritage)/middle eastern (the inlaws' heritage) cooking, but Just Hungry/Just Bento is still my go-to site for inspiration.

Congratulations, and Happy 5th website Birthday! Here's to wishing you many more years of fabulous blogging!

I have to agree with some of the above comments, though, that although I'm in the U.S. it's silly not to cook using metric measurements. But maybe I'm just biased because all of my measurements through work are metric.

I've meant to tell you for the longest time that you should really write a cookbook with Japanese food for children. Not adapted for children, just adapted for European super markets . seriously, both my 3 year old and 1 year old love your spring fried rice, your japanese curry and so much more!

happy 5th anniversary just hungry! :D
i've been a lurker for almost a year but must post now for the giveaways.:P i bring my bento everyday to work and i get my ideas at just bento. my faves are the kinpira, gyuudon, and sesame flavored beef.

Thanks for giving me and my husband great ideas to better our diet! Also for giving me great ideas to start out making bentos for me! And last but certainly not least CONGRATS for being around 5 years (Just Hungry) and 1 year (Just Bento)!

Congratulations on five years with Just Hungry and on Just Bento's incredible first year!!

I must tell you that I absolutely LOVE your sites! I'm a long time reader of both, but a first-time commenter. XD I suppose I just thought I wouldn't be able to post them for some reason... I've never actually scrolled down this far before~

I was always too focused on the magnificent recipes and writing down shopping lists! Heehee~ Currently I've been especially interested in the bento site, as I am getting my very first bento in the coming weeks! I'm really excited!! I always look through recipes on Just Hungry as well, though~ They're all fantastic recipes that I could also put in a bento :)

It's incredibly generous of you to give things away like this!! Thank you so much!!

Damn... I thought I will be the first one to say that I am from Singapore but somebody has beat me to it.

Stumbled upon this blog few months back when I was trying to search for a grilled mushroom recipe (Japanese style). I have been hooked since then mainly because I love the Japanese cuisine. I remember I was so thrilled I had to tell my hubby immediately about this blog that has tons and tons of Japanese recipes. I cook more Japanese than Chinese over the weekends because I figured that my kids had enough Chinese on weekdays at that grandmother's place.

Second reason why I keep coming back is because the recipes are easy to follow. I'm relatively new to cooking and have 2 toddlers in tow (literally) so I need simple and quick recipes. I tend to ignore recipes that has a long list of ingredients and steps because I know I will never attempt it until years later.

I hope I won't sound too thick skin if I tell you I want this giveaway =p The words "express", "good" and "fast" are exactly what this working mummy look for in recipes!!

Great recipes and tutorials! Pretty much everything I've tried - and not slaughtered with severe experimentation on my part - has come out delicious. I really love the background info given for everything too, since many of these recipes aren't very common around these here parts (that being Canada).

Great recipes and tutorials! Pretty much everything I've tried - and not slaughtered with severe experimentation on my part - has come out delicious. I really love the background info given for everything too, since many of these recipes aren't very common around these here parts (that being Canada).

I loved your site since I found it. The cooking tips, ingredient guides, and recipes are amazing! I check your clog almost every day. It's one of my faves. Thanks for all your hard work over the years!

Your blog has helped me understand the world of bento-making a whole lot better. Now that I'm in Japan, I have a greater chance to not only investigate bento-ware but also as many Japanese ingredients as I can ^_^

I am brand new to bento, but am completely addicted. I have to say much of my addiction is thanks to you. I love the information on both of your sites. I have subsribed to the RSS Feeds so that I don't miss a single post. Congratulations on your success and thanks for sharing your talent with us.

I have been living in Japan for four months and while trying to decipher what I find in the grocery store, want to try to make, etc., I have come to this site time and again. Although I speak and read Japanese, I still need help with details of how to use different ingredients, recipes, etc. Thanks so much for your help.
Name-Jane

Hi, Congrats on making it five years! I started following almost a year ago but this is perhaps the first time I have commented I think. Your site has been great for when my fiance is wanting Japanese food!!!!

I love your bento site also, especially as I used to be a kindy teacher in Japan and I could name the kids foods in Japanese because I had read your blog.

I think that's how you say happy anniversary in Swiss German above! I'm in Zürich, Switzerland. Very exciting for you and generous as well to have these giveaways. Congrats and here's to the next 5 years...

Your blogs have been a regular feature of my lunch break since... well, quite a long time. I adore your quinoa salad, by the way - it's absolutely delish! And the carrot kinpira... and pretty much every vegetarian or vegan bento dish you made looks soooo good, I'm gonna test it one day.

This is my first time comment, even though I've been lurking for a few months now. I found your blogs while researching Japanese food and got intrigued by the art of bento-making. Your recipes and bento designs are always beautiful and inspiring :) So far I've only tried making the mini hamburgers and tea leaf muffins (yummy!), but I hope that soon I'll get more organised and thus find more time to indulge in bento-making.
So there, thank you very much for putting up such great sites!

Happy Anniversary-Birthday to Just Hungry and Just Bento! Wow! It's been around 5 years and I've only known about it for 1! ^_^ Still I Love all your tips and tricks, and recipes! Just Hungry has become quite a regular haunt for me when I'm stumped as to what to have for dinner! Thanks again! I hope I get something!

Really glad to have found your blog at 5 years old! Over the past few years I've been cooking more... and looking to the net as a source of ideas before buying recipe books ruins me financially. I get down hearted by the fact most sites are very USA based.

Currently reading your old posts, and you have pride of place in my feedburner. Yay!

Congratulations on your anniversary! I've found your blog only recently, but it already developed into my most read food blog. Thank you! :)
Hanne
(currently in the UK, but returning to Germany for Christmas)

I have been hiding around in this blog for a while - marveling at all you make and write about! I live in Japan and you have helped me decipher many food things and encouraged me to cook more Japanese food. "Ah, but why am I commenting on the Nigella book?" you ask - hmm - express probably. The ideal me can cook a lovely meal, clean up during said cooking, serve the meal at the perfect temperature and only have the eating dishes to clean up - HA! Express sounds like a better concept for me...Although as an American living in Japan for 2 years I thankfully don't think I will ever be able to eat fast food or anything truly "Express". The flavors of Japan are fantastic and some of those simple, wonderful foods are quick and won't ruin your arteries or your diet! Thank you for both sites - I truly enjoy what you have done!

Congratulations for the anniversary of this site! Although i have only recently visited it, I really love to try out your new recipes. Japanese food is so delicious that I have learnt a lot through this site. Once again, thank you very much!

Congratulations and as we say here in Greece Chronnia Polla!!
Just want to say thanks for past help on egg molders (finally got them) and that besides reading this daily along with sooo many others I also follow you on twitter!!!
And many more.....
Eleftheria
Greece

I've been reading both of your sites for the past year now, and have enjoyed every post. I've learned so much and look forward to learning more - visiting your sites is a bright spot in my day! Keep up the good work and congratulations!

I only recently (4 months or so) discovered the wonderful world of food blogs. I still don't know how I stumbled upon the first. It has been a truly rewarding experience. I don't get to read but a few, but yours is one I always look forward to in the morning. I had never heard of a bento, but generally try to bring a lunch of leftovers for me and my husband each day. We work in the same building so having lunch together is a great treat.

The tasty recipes and transforming leftovers at work into a fun event is great.

I have a different Nigella Lawson cookbook and I make the eggplant involtini when I have the time. The bitter orange ice cream is easy and delicious. You can mail this to me in the USA. Thanks for all your blogging!

I'm from Australia. I de-lurk here occasionally, but... giving things away is the best way to draw us out of the woodwork, right? :) Anyway, thanks for all your hard work maintaining these blogs Maki, they are really something special.